Is It Working? Self-Help Guide for Evaluating Vocational and Adult Education Programs.

Fleischman, Howard L.

This guide, which was adapted from a 1987 evaluation guide for bilingual vocational training, is intended for directors, staff, and evaluators of local adult and vocational education programs. It presents an overall framework that program staff and evaluators can use to help establish the scope of their evaluations and meet their local evaluation needs. The guide consists of a brief introduction and seven sections devoted to the following topics: evaluation process and plans, evaluation framework program environment, program participants, program implementation, program outcomes, and presentation of findings. The materials presented in each section are intended to provide direction for planning relevant evaluations that meet the unique needs of local programs. A compendium of evaluation questions that may be used as a foundation for structuring a local evaluation is provided. Specific guidance for conducting the various data collection activities entailed in a comprehensive program evaluation is given. Appended are seven sample data collection forms (student intake form, program profile, student instructional status/attendance form, initial job placement information form, student and employer follow-up questionnaires, and job placement follow-up questionnaire) and guidelines for measuring the English language proficiency of limited-English-proficient adults. (MN)